Succulents are well loved by everybody. They are fairly easy to grow and don’t need much care. They are perfect for plant rookies who are trying their hand for the first time at growing plants or for someone who can’t keep a plant alive no matter what. They look absolutely beautiful and work very well as an indoor plant, adding beauty to your home decor.

However, succulents do need some care. There are 100 different reasons a succulent can die and that is why you need to take proper care of them. You need to know your plant well before you bring them to your home so that you can take care of them. Commitment is everything and to keep your plants happy and healthy!

Related Read: 9 Best Succulents For Your Indoor Or Outdoor Gardens

1. Never Over Water Your Succulents

Water is very critical with your succulents. Your succulents do not need too much water. They can survive on little water or but overwatering can be harmful to your plants. Just make sure to water your plants once the sand has dried down a little. In summers and springs, plants will consume more water because that’s the time they grow and need more energy. Whereas in winter and fall, they go into resting and do not need much water. For general guidance, watering in the summer once a week is good practice, while as little as twice a month may suffice in the winter. So ensure that before watering the soil is on the drier side to avoid killing your plant.

Therefore, test before you water!

2. Keep An Eye On Drainage

As much as watering is important to any plant, its drainage also plays an essential role. Succulents need a good drainage system to ensure that their roots dry down between the intervals of watering. If the roots of the succulents do not dry, the chances of them rotting and killing the plant is far too high.

So keep an eye on the drainage of your plant. The better the drainage system, the better your plant would be!

3. It’s The Lighting Game

The lighting game of your plants should be strong. Succulents need sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Keeping this in mind, a succulent should be kept near a window where direct light is coming in. When they don’t receive enough light, their leaves will suffer etiolation which means the stem will be long but weak and their loss of colour of the leaves makes them appear yellow.

4. Never Sun Burn Your Plant

Previously, we did mention that your succulent loves the sun but this is a tricky situation with the plant. Not all succulents love the heat. Some likes to be in the shade or indirect sunlight.  You need to know your plant before you keep them in direct light. If you notice black spots or white spots on the stem or leaves of your plant, that is probably because of the overexposure of it to the sun.

5. Clean Your Succulents

You may notice some dust collecting on your succulents over some time. Even though they are plants, and it is believed it is okay for them to get dirty but trust us, it is not. When dust starts to collect on the succulents, it can slow down their growth and this is not what you want from your plants. Just gently use a microfiber cloth to wipe the leaves of your plant and you are good to go!

6. Rotate Them Frequently

When your plant is sitting in the sunlight, you need to keep rotating it to ensure that every part of the plant gets proper light. If you see signs of discolouration or colours, consider it the time to rotate your plants. This also prevents sunburning in plants. You can rotate your plant once every 2-3 weeks. 

7. Never Use Spray Bottle

Never use a spray bottle to water your succulents. A spray bottle can lead to the growth of mould on your plant which you have to avoid at all costs. Also, spraying on leaves rather than roots is very risky for your plant. The spray bottle tends to aggravate the humid conditions for your succulent which is everything you want to stay away from whatsoever. 

8. Plant Succulents in the Right Soil

Succulents die mostly because they are not in the right type of soil for their requirement. Choose cactus soil or mix potting soil with sand, pumice, or perlite. Succulent roots are very fragile so be gentle when repotting. The best soil for your succulent is the one which drains quickly and isn’t too dense and allows for fast draining. Consider repotting every 2-3 years but while doing so keep two things in mind. First, you are doing it only in its growing season and second that you do not damage the roots of your plants in the process of repotting.

9. Keep Bugs At Bay

Bugs on your succulents are a no-go. Keeping them bug-free is important and you might need to take some extra care. Gnats, a type of bug,  are attracted to succulents that do not have proper drainage and remain wet for longer durations.

To get rid of eggs and larvae, spraying alcohol is a good option. Just spray 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol in the soil and your plant should be good. 

Mealybugs are another pest succulent which can bother your plants due to overwatering and over-fertilizing. If your plants have Mealybugs the first and foremost important thing is that you isolate your plant from other plants. After that spray with 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol. 

To make a 70 per cent alcohol solution, mix up a solution of one part 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and one part water. 

Spray the soil as well as any pests you can see on the leaves if you notice signs of infestation. Make sure the succulent is free of pests before putting it back with the others.

10. Fertilize Succulents Wisely!

You do not have to go heavy with fertilizers on your succulents. But occasional light feeding during summer and springs can be good for your plant as it is their growing season.

However, be careful not to over-fertilize your plants as this could lead your succulents to grow too rapidly and become weak.

11. Watch the temperature 

Succulents are generally very rough and tough plants however some of them hate winters. Keep them indoors if your plant happens to despise winters and shows signs of wilting or dying before it’s too late. Similarly, if the temperature is too high, this too will kill most succulents. So monitor the temperature all the time and give your succulents the ideal temperature ranging between 40-80°F.

Related Read: 10 Houseplants For New Plant Lovers

Our Final Verdict

Succulents aren’t very needy. You just need to understand the need and requirements of your plants. Once you are well informed, your succulents will be happy and healthy just like you!

P.S- Follow pycklepedia on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook to connect and participate in our initiative- to celebrate YOU. We would love to hear from you!